The Man Behind the World's Most Famous Headbutt Turned 44 Today

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, who turns 44 years old today, is remembered by most non-soccer fans as the man who made the unthinkable decision to headbutt an Italian defender in the waning minutes of the World Cup Finals ten years ago. The moment was so ludicrous that it seeped into the annals of pop culture. Yet, for the several billion people around the world who have a religious affinity toward soccer, Zidane is something of a spiritual leader. For anyone who finds this hard to believe, I'll provide a litmus test for you. On your next trip outside of the U.S., ask any person—whether it's a cab driver, a child on the street, a bartender, anyone—what he or she thinks of Zidane. The first thing you'll notice, before they proclaim he was the best, is that little sparkle in their eye.

Getty ImagesDenis Doyle

The reason people worship Zidane is the same reason fish bite bait. It's a natural reaction to the sight of something enticing. Watch Zidane play for a mere five minutes, and it becomes evident that he has the size, speed, and stamina to excel in virtually any sport. ZiZou, as he's commonly known, was gifted with the kind of once-in-a-lifetime talent that allowed him to effectively take over an entire game—as he did in the 1998 World Cup Final in France—with a degree of grace that surely would have made Diaghilev proud. His control in tight spaces was unrivaled, his technical mastery was on show in nearly every match, and his knack for scoring the biggest goals in the biggest games transformed him into a global celebrity who transcended the game.

Zidane was, after all, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and was voted the best European soccer player of the past 50 years. For what it's worth, his goal in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final is the best I've ever seen. Sure, Messi's freekick earlier this week was something special and worthy of all its praise. But the degree of difficulty in Zidane's shot puts it in another echelon of sports lore.

Watch how he positions his body at the very top of the 18-yard box while the ball hangs in the air for what seems an eternity. When it finally comes down, Zidane uses his left (and weaker) foot to smash the ball out of the air toward the goalie's near post. Had the ball been struck by virtually any other person on the planet, the keeper might've had a chance. But it wasn't. Real Madrid went on to win the Champions League that day, while Zidane was named the man of the match.

We soccer lovers are enamored with Zidane in the same way that art lovers swoon over Monet.

We soccer lovers are enamored with Zidane in the same way that art lovers swoon over Monet. The two men turned their craft into something different and entirely more beautiful than it was before they arrived. Zidane is not only adored for his athletic prowess, though, but also for everything he stood for and continues to stand for. In a phrase, he's everyone's hero: Whether it's the Parisian businessman who respects Zidane's competitive fire and sixth sense on the field, or the dock worker of north-African descent from Marseille who sees himself in Zidane's lineage.

If there are any doubters left out there of Zidane's ability on the pitch, however, use today, his birthday, as an opportunity to show them this video. You'll both quickly realize his star won't be fading anytime soon.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.